Your Guide to Must-Attend Wearable Events in 2017

Despite how young the industry is as a whole, wearables' rapid growth has fueled innovation and fostered dialogue among new companies doing exciting things with these devices. In 2017, the chief focus of wearable manufacturers must be to become essential to the lives of their users. To do that, you and your team should listen carefully to successful speakers in the wearable tech community share their insights on how wearables can impact our lives today and what is coming next. Chip vendors, network providers, wearable startups and tech giants will all come together to discuss the latest developments, share product launches and explore new opportunities in the marketplace throughout the year.

If you want to increase awareness for your wearable or keep abreast of the latest news and possibilities, don't miss the following wearable conferences in 2017:

Why attend: WTS2017 is one of the largest business and "prosumer" shows with early adopters, buyers and distributors of wearable tech in attendance. It's a great forum for forming partnerships and developing new business across the wearable, IoT and smart device landscape. This event showcases technologies across multiple fields including smart home, healthcare, fashion, fitness, performance sports, enterprise, augmented reality, with speakers discussing the future of wearables, smart technology and IoT. Join the 6,000 delegates, 200 speakers, and 300 members of the press at this impressive conference.

Why attend:Wearable Europe is a conference plus exhibition hall focused on wearables, applications and device commercialisation progress. The speaker program is carefully crafted by IDTechEx analysts. The two-day conference consists of over 225 speakers with big name players like Qualcomm talking their mHealth technology. The unique exhibitor hall features 200 showcasing companies from 61 countries, where you can explore newly launched devices and even watch as flexible electronics are being made.

Why attend: This event is on a smaller scale than the rest (about 300 attendees), but can still hold it's own on the wearable event circuit - attendees include companies like IBM, Google, Lululemon, Levi's and Amazon. Participate in discussions around what users now expect from wearables, how wearables are influencing social norms, living with augmented reality, measuring performance, wearables for simpler living and wearables as safety trackers. Attend keynotes from companies like APX Labs, Intel and many more. In between the presentations, don't forget to check out the floor of exhibitors and gain perspective on how wearable tech devices work and how they differ from each other.

Why attend: What's a wearable without sensors? Exactly what it's named for - the Sensors Expo & Conference is the largest gathering of engineers and engineering professionals involved in sensors and sensing-related technologies. For over 30 years, more than 6,000 professionals gather from across the US and over 40 countries to explore today's sensor technologies and find the solutions to tomorrow's sensing challenges. The 2017 event will host 300+ exhibitors on the Expo Floor, leading experts from the industry in the most comprehensive sensor-focused Conference Program, and unparalleled Event Features and Networking Opportunities.

Why attend: The 16th Wearable Technologies Conference 2015 will be hosted in San Francisco, USA this July. While 2017 conference details are forthcoming, last year's talk track included insight from industry players like SAP, Flex, Huawei, Intel and even NASA. The focus is on "what's next" and you can expect to get a sneak peak into what's ahead for the industry as a whole from industry experts, leading players and academics alike.

6. WTS USA 2017

Date: October 3 - 4, 2017

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Speakers: Bloomberg, Red Bull, Epson, Juniper Research and more TBD

Why attend: Like its European counterpart, WTS is one of the biggest shows covering wearables, smart home, virtual and augmented reality and IoT. Go to this show if you want a wide sweep of the industry and a showcase of the latest technology. As this is the latest event on the list, you may see a few familiar faces!